Vatican City, 18 September 2015 (VIS) –
The Vatican Observatory is holding an international symposium to
celebrate the eightieth anniversary of its transfer to Castel
Gandolfo at the behest of Pope Pius XI, who decided upon the move
since the lights of the city of Rome made it impossible for
astronomers to study the less bright stars. The observatory is one of
the oldest in the world, established in the second half of the
sixteenth century when Gregory XIII erected in the Vatican the Tower
of the Winds and invited the the Jesuits, astronomers and
mathematicians of the Roman College to prepare the reform of the
calendar promulgated in 1582.
Today the Pope received in audience the
participants in this meeting, affirming that “the universe is more
than a scientific problem to be solved: it is a joyful mystery that
we contemplate with wonder and praise”. He added, “St. Ignatius
of Loyola understood this language well. He himself said that his
greatest consolation was to look at the sky and the stars, as when he
did so he felt a great desire to serve the Lord”.
Francis recalled that throughout the
years the astronomers of the Observatory have undertaken paths of
research, creative paths following in the wake of the astronomers and
Jesuits of the Roman College, from Fr. Christoph Clavius (celebrated
for his contribution to the creation of the Gregorian calendar) to
Fr. Angelo Secchi (pioneer of astronomical spectroscopy), by way of
Fr. Matteo Ricci and many others.
“On this anniversary, I wish to
recall Benedict XVI's address to the Fathers of the last General
Congregation of the Society of Jesus, in which he remarked that the
Church urgently needed consecrated persons to dedicate their lives to
the frontier between faith and human knowledge, between faith and
modern science. … In the context of interreligious dialogue, more
urgent today than ever before, scientific research into the universe
can offer a unique perspective, shared by believers and non-believers
alike, to help achieve a better religious understanding of creation.
In this respect the Schools of Astrophysics that the Observatory has
organised in the last thirty years represent a valuable opportunity
for young astronomers throughout the world to engage in dialogue and
to collaborate in the search for truth”.
Francis also mentioned that during the
symposium the members of the Observatory discussed the importance of
communicating that the Church and her pastors embrace, encourage and
promote genuine science. “It is very important that you share the
gift of your scientific knowledge of the universe with the people,
freely giving what you have freely received”, he said.
“In the spirit of gratitude to the
Lord for the witness of science and faith that the members of the
Observatory have given in these decades, I encourage you to continue
on your path … with those who share the enthusiasm and effort of
the exploration of the universe”, he concluded.
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